The Betting Control and Licensing Board( BCLB) has today in a letter, has suspended all gambling advertisements for 30days to help combat irresponsible betting, protecting vulnerable groups, especially the minors and the youths following a public outcry over misleading promotions presenting gambling as a quick and easy route to wealth creation.
“In view of these occurrences and pursuant to the statutory mandate under the Betting, Lottery and Gambling Act (Chapter 131,Laws of Kenya), the Betting Control and Licensing Board hereby orders the immediate suspension of all gambling advertisements and testimonials across all media platforms for a period of 30 days with effect from the date of this statement ,” the letter read in part.
The BCLB chair further stated that the directive applies to all licensed gambling operators and covers all forms of ads and promotional activities including but not limited to TV and radio ads, social media platforms, outdoor ,SMS, emails and push notifications as well as celebrity endorsements and influencer marketing.
The directive implies that the operators submit ads to Kenya Films and Classification Board for examination, classification and further issuance of certicate of approval and filming licence in line with the Film Act.
The BCLB has further called upon all stakeholders including betting companies, media houses , digital platforms , telecommunications service providers and the general public to fully comply with the set directives for the national interest.
The licensing board has affirmed that it has constituted a multi-agency enforcement team that has been mandated to formulate interventions in bid to curb irresponsible gambling in the country.
Leave a comment